University of Auckland to support students from Mexico on post-graduate studies
University of Auckland, New Zealand (source: flickr/ mgrenner57, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
1 Jul 2016
The University of Auckland in New Zealand and Mexican agency Conacyt sign landmark agreement that will support up to 20 students from Mexico on post-graduate studies in New Zealand, e.g. on renewable energy and geothermal topics.
Reported by the University of Auckland, a landmark agreement has been signed between the University and Mexico. This particularly entails increased scientific interchange on renewable energy between New Zealand and Mexico, with an emphasis on geothermal energy.
Under the agreement, twenty Mexican students will have a chance to begin study toward their PhD degrees at the University of Auckland each year as a result of a new agreement.
The University is the first New Zealand University to sign with Mexican agency Conacyt providing sponsorship for Mexican students wishing to study full PhD degrees here, and also promoting postgraduate fellowship visits between the two countries.
Conacyt is the prestigious federal agency charged with the promotion and support of scientific and technological research and activity in Mexico.
“We are delighted to announce our partnership with Conacyt,” says Professor Jenny Dixon, Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Engagement). ‘It enables our leading expertise in engineering, science and technology to make a contribution to Mexico through research and academic collaboration.”
The new agreement provides sponsorship for up to 20 Mexican students per year to study for full PhD degrees in any of the eight faculties at the University of Auckland.
Funding is also available for short-term fellowship visits between New Zealand and Mexico. Mexican masters students may propose fellowship visits of up to 6 months for the purpose of gaining experience in research projects at the University, while PhD students will receive funding for fellowship visits of up to 12 months. University of Auckland students are able to propose visits of similar duration to accredited Mexican universities.
The agreement further strengthens ties between Mexico and New Zealand. Mexico is New Zealand’s largest trading partner in the Latin American region and one area of considerable potential benefit between the two countries is in the field of renewable energy research.
Energy reform currently taking place in Mexico, and intended to reduce its reliance on a stagnant oil and gas sector, is leading to interest in alternative forms of sustainable energy generation and supply, including geothermal. The University hosts an Energy Centre and its Geothermal Institute is actively engaged in research and exchanges in Mexico. Head of Engineering Science, Professor Rosalind Archer sees potential for even more collaboration with the signing of the Conacyt agreement.
“This agreement will pave the way for more scientific interchange on renewable energy between New Zealand and Mexico. We hope to see Mexico grow its geothermal energy generation, which will assist it in reducing its dependence on fossil fuels.”
Source: University of Auckland
